So when I get the e-mail that a friend is passing through town and wants to stop in for lunch or coffee.  I don’t panic wondering how I will find the time to run to the store and pick up something to make.  I open the cabinet and choose from my stockpile.

I’ve posted before about the grocerygame and how I shop sales with coupons and keep a stock of items. My stockpile makes for a deep pantry, but even before I was a ggamer I kept certain things around to cut down on trips to the store.

Don’t freak out- it’s a long list, but chances are you have a lot of this stuff already.  Edit the list based on how you cook.  What is a staple for me, may not be for you. Start adding one or two items to your regular grocery list until you are well stocked.  Look for sales.

These are the items I keep on hand that I consider a well stocked pantry:

In the Fridge:

Eggs
Butter or margarine
Milk
Whipping cream
Sour cream
Cream cheese
Cheese (your choice)

In the Freezer:

Ground beef
Whole chicken
Boneless chicken breasts
Boneless pork chops
Link and/or bulk sausage
Bacon
Breads and rolls
Prepared pie crusts/pizza crust
Puff pastry
Flour tortillas
Corn tortillas
Stuffed pasta
Beef stock
Chicken stock
Non-dairy topping
Walnuts
Pecans
Almonds
Frozen fruits

In the Cupboard:

All-purpose flour
Whole wheat flour (Keep in freezer for longer shelf life)
Cornmeal
Granulated sugar
Confectioner’s sugar
Brown sugar
Baking soda
Baking powder
Yeast (Keep in freezer for longer shelf life)
Cornstarch
Unsweetened cocoa
Semi sweet chocolate chips
Biscuit mix
Vegetable shortening
Oatmeal
Dried breadcrumbs
Pasta

Brown rice
Wild rice

Boxed rice/pasta sides
Beans
Lentils
Split peas
Onion soup mix

Muffin mixes

Cans, Bottles and Jars:

Tomatoes (various)
Tomato paste

Rotelle
Chicken broth
Cream of soups (various)
Canned fruits
Pie fillings
Tuna
Green beans
Chick peas
Kidney beans
Whole kernel corn
Evaporated milk
Peanut butter
Light corn syrup
Dark corn syrup
Pancake syrup
Honey
Pure vanilla extract
Almond flavoring
Bouillon- chicken and beef
Hot sauce
Olive oil
Extra-Virgin olive oil
Canola oil
Olive oil spray
Cooking oil spray
Red wine vinegar
Balsamic vinegar
White distilled vinegar
Cider vinegar

Worcestershire sauce

Soy sauce

Spices:

Parsley Oregano Basil Rosemary Thyme Rubbed sage Cilantro Bay leaves Chives Tarragon Dill weed Dill seed Onion powder Minced onions Garlic powder Minced garlic

Peppercorns Coarse salt Kosher or sea salt Ground cinnamon Ground cloves Whole cloves Ground allspice Seasoned salt Cajun seasoning blend Pickling spice Mustard seed Dry mustard Cayenne pepper Celery seed Caraway seeds Fennel seeds Ground ginger Ground cumin Ground sweet paprika

Homemade Pimento Cheese

2 cups of extra sharp cheddar cheese- grated

1/4 -1/3 cup of minced pimentos (use more or less to taste)

1/2 cup mayonnaise

8oz cream cheese, softened

1 tbs vinegar (white or cider)

1/4 cup minced onion

dash of salt and pepper to taste

Mix everything up together and chill in the fridge overnight (if you can wait that long). Serve in sandwiches, crackers, or with veggies like a dip.  This is a great party recipe and you can vary the proportions of the ingredients to taste.